© ICRC/ref: lk-d-00043

The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977 provide for the protection not only of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked themselves, but also of the people who look after their physical and spiritual needs – medical personnel, administrative support staff and religious personnel [GCI art. 24, 25 ; GCII art. 36, 37; API art. 8 (c)-(d)], who are not to be attacked and must be allowed to fulfil their medical or religious duties [GCI art. 24-27; GCII art. 36, 37; API art. 15-20; APII art. 9, 10].

International humanitarian law also establishes a comprehensive and detailed protection for medical units, transports and material [GCI art. 19-23, 33-37; GCII arts. 22-27, 34, 38-40; GCIV arts. 18, 21-22; API art. 8 (e)-(j), 12-14, 21, 22; APII art. 11].


See also: ICRC Activities > Health services